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The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC), one of the largest Muslim organizations in the country, is being accused of funneling money to designated terrorist organization IRFAN-Canada.
A Canadian police raid found that MAC gave $296,514 to IRFAN-Canada between 2001 and 2010, according to The Toronto Sun.
The Muslim Association of Canada remained a registered charity as of this week, having reported $16.1 million in revenues, and a nearly $5.8 million payroll, in 2013.
The group says its mission is to “establish an Islamic presence in Canada that is balanced, constructive, and integrated, though distinct.”
Establishing that presence has included buying up more than $30 million of land and buildings across the country.
Two mosques in north-end Montreal were donated for free. The MAC Islamic Centre of Cold Lake, Alta., was purchased in November 2013 and assessed the following year at $220,900.
The largest known MAC acquisition is a six-storey, $4.7-million building in Montreal’s financial district that will house the Canadian Institute of Islamic Civilization.
The deal was closed last May and the institute will feature a library, a museum and “the largest mosque in downtown Montreal,” according to its website.
Recent calls to MAC have not been returned.
Tax records show the value of MAC’s land and buildings in Canada doubled between 2009 and 2013.
They run the gamut from Masjid Toronto, a large downtown mosque frequented by hundreds every week, to places as small as a bungalow and two-car garage that doubles as the Islamic Centre of Waterloo, Ont.
The facilities have become hubs of prayer, Qu’ranic studies and sports activities for Muslims across Canada.
Other activities at MAC mosques aren’t as innocuous.
Agencies/Canadajournal
Why are they recognized as a charity? The word muslim and the word civilization do not belong in the same sentence.